Question

Anyone know how to get Alexa to verbally state a notification as to where a sensor has triggered the alarm?  

Answer 1

If your smoke detectors show in ST, Then they should show in Alexa. You may have to do one routine for each smoke detector

Comments

Have four that are listed in the ST devices list but they do not show up in the Alexa device list as they cannot be voice controlled by Alexa.  

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@absenteeism oh then you may have to use another program. They show in SmartThings?  

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@terrie G Stelter yes

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Currently playing with routines in Alexa app. See how to use it but only allows devices she 'discovers' ie, lights and switches and ST automatons (Samsung Connect app). Added later. she can also see motion and contact/multi-purpose sensors.  

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@absenteeism if you have other items from SmartThings showing in Alexa, then maybe these just aren’t compatible. If you don’t see any ST devices in Alexa, maybe you need to enable the Samsung ST skill.  

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@terrie G Stelter Devices are listed. have any and all kinds of Alexa voice control everyday. But First Alert Detectors are not voice command "(Alexa) compatible".  

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@absenteeism a bit more cumbersome, but a virtual device for every sensor, synced to it, and then Alexa routines

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@terrie G Stelter Ahhhh, there's a second skill? Have to check into that. Perhaps just their appliances? Thanks.  

Answer 2

Make a routine for that sensor

Comments

Can she resight word for word a notification sent to my phone?  

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How do you trigger her in a routine (SmartApp).  

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Oh sorry. I meant an Alexa routine via the Alexa app

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Otherwise look at Echo Speaks

Answer 3

@absenteeism what i did was use a recording of what you want it to say "Front door opened". then use macdroid app to play that recording when you receive notification with a certain word in it

Answer 4

This can be done via webcore somehow. I’ve made this piston if the door is kept open, Alexa speaks. What you’re asking would be a bit more complicated.  

Comments

You just channeled my mom when I was a kid with the "heating the great outdoors'.  

Answer 5

My idea is Alexa being able to say which Smoke & CO Detector triggered the alarm instead of needing get my phone, key in a security password and drag down the notifications screen. when half asleep at 3 am. Seems like it would be a possible life saving iteration.  

Answer 6

In the alex app you can create a routine and put whatever text you what her say. I currently have a routine that announces "the kid is trying to escape" if his door opens during certain hours.  

Comments

I'll have to look deeper there. Scanned for skills that might cover such a thing generally but saw nothing.  

Answer 7

Here’s a sample of what makes Alexa speak when my ring doorbell is pressed:

Comments

Thanks. I have been playing with this for other Alexa compatible devices and ST Scenes and Automations. Things being Alexa Compatible is key. If she doesn't list it, she won't be triggered by it. But perhaps by a Scene containing devices triggered by ST.  

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Solution Alexa Guard (set to home) will hear, by way of her mic, the buzz of the smoke detector and will be triggered to state message. The unfortunate thing is you can only trigger one Echo Device to talk per triggered device/event. For me, that's four smoke detectors associated with 3 Echo devices. But definitely worth the effort.  

Answer 8

Problem causes I have found . 1) Guard in Alexa could be used to 'hear' smoke detectors and glass break detectors. if those options weren't turned off in 'Home' mode. Only available in 'Away' mode (because you wouldn't be 'home' to hear her). But you do get a totally useless chime. and it only pushes your choice of wording in a notification to your phone. Does not 'announce' to all Echo devices in the house so that you understand 'why and where' the alarm is going off WITHOUT LOOKING AT YOUR PHONE FIRST while your house is burning down around you at 3 am. BUT she has been improved to now scan and list motion and contact (Multi-purpose) sensors. BUT NOT SMOKE SENSORS? REALLY? 2) Home Monitor no longer couples 'location mode' with 'security mode' in the Samsung Home app like they were in the SmartThing Classic app, making Alexa 'scenes' different from IFTTT-like ST 'automations'. Thinking in terms of asking Alexa to Arm (stay) the security system with quick voice command (not locks, just alarm). Security mode option is not in the 'then' part of a Scene. Alexa does not scan and accept ST 'automations'.  

Answer 9

I use echo speaks

Comments

Covers these?  

Answer 10

I have mine set to tell me when someone is on my porch just by doing a routine. Set it to do announcement on detection and then you can customize what alexa says. Then select the devices to announce on. works great.  

Comments

I have several routines like that including "You've got mail" when the mailbox door, better than 250 ft away from the hub across the road. is closed (motion sensor inside box, 3 hops). Two Dots and a Show now compliment the prior use of three triggered lights in different areas of house and outbuilding. Another routine uses sensors at either end of our circular driveway to announce an arrival. But use with Home Monitor (changed in later version) and @synthetic5778 Guard (Dot mics on listening, but only in Away mode) are complicating reaching my two goals of alarm control by voice and smoke detector voice notification.